Three-quarters of U.S. freight firms say there is a healthy demand for truck freight, but 25% of U.S. freight firms say a labor shortage is the biggest issue affecting business, according to a recent survey by Tech.co, a logistics technology information company, which says the problem is blocking a U.S. freight boom.

The survey found that 25% of U.S. freight firms cite workforce shortages as their greatest issue, and that 15% of them say recruitment and staff retention is their priority this quarter. The most popular strategy for those firm prioritizing tackling labor issues will be providing better training and development opportunities, with 8% of professionals citing this approach. 

Other planned efforts are to enhance recruitment efforts (7%), to improve work-life balance for drivers (6%), to increase driver compensation and benefits (6%) and to improve company culture (6%).

“The labor crisis in the trucking industry has been a ticking time bomb for years, and the fuse is only getting shorter, as the latest Tech.co data reveals,” said Editor of Tech.co, Jack Turner. “Unless the industry can attract more people, especially younger generations, it risks losing huge volumes of potential business.”

Tech.co surveyed 260 professionals in the U.S. transport and shipping sector. Data was collected in April 2025.